The year is 1963 and it's a cold, foggy London night. A Police Constable patrols a deserted Totters Lane, his torch illuminating a pair of gates outside I.M. Foreman's Junkyard. Everything is quiet and undisturbed. Satisfied all is well he continues his patrol. In nearby Coal Hill Comprehensive, lessons are drawing to a close and two members of staff, Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton, discuss one of their pupils, Susan Forman.

She's an enigma. She's something of a loner, her behaviour unlike that of a normal 15 year old. Her work also gives cause for concern. She excels in History and Science, but she doesn't know how many shillings there are in a pound (at this point in time Britain is still using the imperial system of Pounds, Shillings and Pence).

Intrigued by this mysterious girl, they decide to follow her home. A decision that will turn their lives upside down.


Meanwhile, an elderly white haired gentleman, dressed in eccentric Edwardian clothing, has purchased some electronic components after making funeral arrangements for someone called Omega.

Back in Totters Lane, Susan walks up to the junkyard and looks around to check that she's not been followed before pushing open the gates and disappearing inside. Unknown to her, she has been watched by Ian and Barbara from their car.

They enter, but there is no sign of her. She seems to have just disappeared. Ian and Barbara begin exploring the junkyard and discover a Police box standing near some steps (here in the 1960's, Police boxes are used to make emergency calls and also summon a Police Officer). As Ian and Barbara walk around it they discover it emanates a faint hum and vibration. Yet there are no cables or any other signs of electrical connections.

At that moment, the gates open and the old man steps through into the yard coughing violently. The two school teachers duck down out of sight as he approaches the Police box.

He fishes around in his pocket until he finds a key which he uses to open the doors. As he does so the humming suddenly increases and Susan's voice calls out - "There you are Grandfather!"

After hearing her call out, Ian and Barbara emerge from their hiding place and approach the old man (known as "Doctor"). They explain that they're looking for one of their pupils whom they saw enter. The Doctor says that they must be mistaken and suggests they leave. They refuse,and an argument breaks out with Ian telling Barbara to wait in the car while he fetches a policeman.

At that moment, the doors open and Susan calls out to her Grandfather. Ian pushes past the Doctor and rushes inside. Instead of the small cupboard he expected, Ian finds himself in large chamber with a hexagonal console at it's centre. Barbara follows and gazes around her, awe-struck.

The Doctor walks in behind them and orders Susan to shut the doors. He is no longer a defensive, blustering old man, but now appears to be a person of confidence and authority.

Thoroughly confused, Ian demands an explanation, which the Doctor is unwilling to provide. Ian argues with the Doctor and demands to be set free. Susan begs her Grandfather to let them go but he refuses.

Ian then approaches the console in an attempt to open the doors and escape, but the panel is booby trapped and he's thrown to the floor by after recieving an electric shock.

The Doctor begins to operate the controls but Ian grabs him and attempts to drag the old man away. He succeeds, but not before the Doctor manages to dematerialise the ship and begin it's voyage through the fourth dimensions of space and time. For Ian and Barbara things would never be the same again...